Folding rack for spools



Nov.' 29, 1949 J. R. TAYLOR 2,439,988

FOLDING RACK FOR SPOOLS Filed NOV. 24, 1947 2 John R. Taylor INVENTOR.

(ma paw! E Patented Nov. 29, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING RACK FOR SPOOLS John R. Taylor, West Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 24, 1947, Serial No. 787,813

2 Claims. (01. 242139) The present invention relates to a novel and improved foldable or collapsible frame structure with special equipment whereby same may be employed as a novel rack for a plurality of thread filled spools, and has more particular reference to a rack which, when the complemental parts are in one position, may be conveniently hung from a nail or the like on a wall, whereas when the parts are in different angular positions the device may be set up and used as a stand.

I am sufficiently conversant with the state of the art to which the invention relates to appreciate that the use of a simple collapsible frame wherein so-called steps and cross-members are linked together at their ends by pairs of pivoted and parallel links serving as foldable display stands, and has supports for pins on which spools may be racked, is not broadly new. It follows, therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multiple spool holding rack construction which, while possessed of parts which are common to those employed in similar patented arrangements, is also especially made to provide novel improvements and refinements.

More explicitly, novelty is predicated upon a simple collapsible frame construction embodying step-like wooden or equivalent cross-bars, the latter being connected at their opposite ends by pairs of pivotally attached links and the links being movable in pairs and in parallelism with each other, levers being provided and these being so mounted that they serve not only to open and close the respective pairs of links but also are employed as supporting props when the rack is set up to take an inclined position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illusttrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a spool holding rack constructed in accordance with the invention, the parts be ng folded into relative compact relationship to provide a wall-type rack.

Figure 2 is an edge elevational view of the structural assemblage seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a central sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the same structure as seen in the other three figures but showing the parts thereof rearranged to take difierent angular positions and to permit the device to serve as an inclined stand which is usable on a table or other support.

Looking at the structure purely as a structural device, and without necessarily considering the purposes and functions of parts, we visualize a substantially rectangular framework, said framework being characterized by a plurality of duplicate cross-pieces 6. In the drawings I show seven such cross-pieces and they are of wood and each is a duplicate of the other and what is more all of said cross pieces are provided with dowel-like pins 1 to accommodate and support thread filled spools 8. I provide some six pinequipped cross-pieces and these, therefore, provide facilities for racking forty-two spools of cotton, a supply of different colors and types sufficient for the ordinary housewife. Of course, some of the pins may be stouter than others to take care of spools which are smaller or larger as the case may be.

The construction disclosed may be used with the parts in the relationship seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3 at which time the respective cross pieces or steps are connected in superposed parallelism by duplicate pairs of assembling links 99 and l 0- l 0, respectively.

When the links 9 and H] are spaced apart to the degree shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and the cross bars are horizontal. a shelf-like spool holding rack is thus provided and the uppermost cross piece is provided with an apertured ear I I such as may be attached to a nail in a wall, hook on the wall or by similar means.

It is possible to use the device as an inclined stand as seen in Figure 4 by shifting the l nks 9 and ID in sliding relation to each other. While this could be done by hand it is de ired to accomplish the result mechanically. Therefore, I provide a pair of duplicate prop-forming levers, these denoted by the numerals I2. Said levers serve not only as handles for opening and closin the links but as props or legs too. To achieve the end desirably the attached end portions of the levers are provided with heads [3 and said heads are pivoted to corresponding end portions as at the points I4 and I5. The other pivot pins, for sake of distinction, that is, the pivot pins between the remainder of the links and cross-pieces, are denoted by the numerals It.

It is obvious that using the lever as a handle it will serve to swing the respective pairs of links 99 and IE!I9 toward and from each other. In so doing the pivotal connections between the cross pieces and links Will serve to swing the cross pieces in an obvious fashion. That is to say, they will take the positions seen in Figures 1 and 2 when the links are spaced far apart and will take shelf forming positions in an inclined stand arrangement as shown in Figure 4 when the links are swung close together.

Novelty is stressed in so far as it relates to the provision of prop-forming levers having heads with the heads provided with double pivots connected to the inter-connected links and crosspieces in such a way as to provide. the leverage necessary for opening and closing the links and for using the links to cause thecross pieces to take either of the positions or 4, respectively.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as i lust ate in h drawin w l enable the read F9 btai a 2 9 unde a d a d en s-$ .2 Q? th a ed tee-ti e of m t e ne eltv S ficient to 01 rify the construction of the inven: tion as hereinafter claimed. w

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be. resorted to in actual practice solong as no departure is made irom the invention as claimed.

shown ,in Figure ,1

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a rack-type multiple spool holder of the class described, a substantially rectangular collapsible framework comprising a plurality of duplicate cross pieces provided with spool supporting pins, and pairs of elongated links pivoted at longitudinally spaced points to the transverse end portions of said cross pieces, and ievers, said levers being pivotally attached at corresponding ends to the links and cross pieces and having portions bridging the respective links whereby when the levers are swung on their pivots, they serve to move the links toward and away from each other and to tilt the cross pieces to take varying angular positions.

2. The structure specified in claim 1, said levers being of shapes and proportions to permit the same to function as props, whereby when said props are up the frame structure may be supported from a table or the like in an inclined displayerack position.

' JOHN R. TAYLOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

